Kate Dearden · Labour and Co-operative Party
Yorkshire and The Humber, England
: 77,516
Lab held for 5 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+63
Kate Dearden
Labour and Co-operative PartyKate Dearden is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Halifax, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. She currently holds the Government post of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade).
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Sign up freeCoverage of Halifax has been mixed for Kate across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“260,000 workers in Yorkshire and the Humber to get pay rise from today” — Telegraph and Argus
“Major updates to product safety laws to ensure they're fit for the modern age | Department for Business & Trade” — WiredGov
Represented by Lab since 2024. Covers Halifax, Shelf and Northowram and Sowerby Bridge. Population 109,711. Median income £25K (below average).
Council to protect town's gruesome 'symbol' with carefully crafted replacement
Telegraph and Argus · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,000
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£29,800
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,675
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
54
37 primary, 6 secondary, 11 other
Total Income Tax▼
£172m
from 50,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,220
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,460
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
49.9
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
70.4%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 city, 2 towns, 1 village, rural areas — 107,890 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
9 councillors across 9 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illingworth Mixenden | Labour Party | Shane David Taylor | May 2024 |
| Northowram Shelf | Green Party of England and Wales | Elaine Hey | May 2024 |
| Ovenden | Labour Party | Danielle Durrans | May 2024 |
| Park | Workers Party of Britain | Shakir Saghir | May 2024 |
| Ryburn | Labour Party | Leah Elizabeth Webster | May 2024 |
| Skircoat | Labour Party | Ann Kingstone | May 2024 |
| Sowerby Bridge | Labour Party | Adam David Wilkinson | May 2024 |
| Town | Labour Party | Kelly Thornham | May 2024 |
| Warley | Liberal Democrats | Ashley John Richard Evans | May 2024 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 14,135 | 35.1% | |
| Con | 7,866 | 19.6% | |
| Ref | 7,811 | 19.4% | |
| Green | 4,133 | 10.3% | |
| WPB | 2,543 | 6.3% | |
| LD | 2,359 | 5.9% | |
| Ind | 1,367 | 3.4% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Lab | 21,496 | 46.3% |
| Con | 18,927 | 40.7% | |
| Ind | 2,813 | 6.0% | |
| LD | 2,276 | 4.9% | |
| Green | 946 | 2.0% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2015 GE | Lab | 25,507 | 52.8% |
| Con | 20,131 | 41.7% | |
| Ind | 1,568 | 3.3% | |
| LD | 1,070 | 2.2% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | Lab | 17,506 | 40.0% |
| Con | 17,078 | 39.0% | |
| Ind | 5,621 | 12.8% | |
| LD | 1,629 | 3.7% | |
| Green | 1,142 | 2.6% | |
| Ind | 465 | 1.1% | |
| Ind | 312 | 0.7% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 16,278 | 37.4% | |
| Con | 14,806 | 34.0% | |
| LD | 8,335 | 19.1% | |
| Ind | 2,760 | 6.3% | |
| Ind | 722 | 1.7% | |
| Ind | 654 | 1.5% |
Kate Dearden has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
10 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
Calderdale Council plans to replace the deteriorating replica of Halifax's historic Gibbet, a medieval execution device that has stood since 1974. The Grade II listed structure will be carefully restored using traditional oak and methods, preserving this important but gruesome part of Halifax's heritage.
Halifax bank is closing 28 of its physical branches in May and June 2026 as part of Lloyds Banking Group's wider restructuring involving 168 closures. The move raises concerns about access to banking services for elderly and vulnerable customers who rely on physical branches and cash transactions.
La Salsa lapdancing club in Halifax town centre has applied to renew its sexual entertainment venue licence, which will be decided by Calderdale licensing councillors on 13 April. The application faces objections from local ward councillors who argue the area's character has changed significantly due to new residential developments, educational facilities, and services for vulnerable people nearby.
Gateway Youth Club in Halifax, which served children with SEND for nearly 50 years, has closed due to Calderdale Council budget cuts. Parents and carers are calling for alternative funding or provision, arguing the closure disproportionately affects vulnerable children who cannot safely access mainstream youth clubs.
Halewood Illustrations, an art and collectables business, has announced it will open its first physical store at Halifax's Piece Hall, while continuing its online and events presence. This represents a positive development for the historic venue and local economy.
Halifax hosted the UK's first 'urban trail' running event, a 10km race that showcased landmarks including Shibden Park, Dean Clough, and The Piece Hall while raising funds for Overgate Hospice. The event was praised as a success by organisers and participants, demonstrating strong community collaboration and civic pride.
Halifax hosted Britain's first-ever urban trail event on Easter Monday, attracting nearly 500 runners through the town's historic buildings and streets. The inaugural event, organised to raise funds for Overgate Hospice, received positive feedback from participants and will generate a significant donation for the charity.
Halifax Harriers successfully held its inaugural Halifax 10K race with 785 finishers, attracting elite and amateur runners across multiple categories. The event, organised by the local running club after 15 months of planning, demonstrated strong community engagement and was supported by 15 local sponsors.
Inquests have opened into the deaths of three young men—Corey Graham, Cassius Bryant, and Thomas Reilly—killed in a multi-vehicle collision on Keighley Road, Illingworth, Halifax on March 18. A criminal investigation is ongoing, with police having arrested two men in connection with the crash; the inquest has been suspended for 12 months pending the outcome of the police investigation.
A BBC Ambulance episode featured Halifax paramedics Siobhan and Ellie providing compassionate end-of-life care to a 91-year-old patient, choosing to keep him at home rather than hospitalise him. The touching story showcased the professionalism and empathy of local emergency services and resonated emotionally with viewers.
Six men were found guilty of raping and sexually abusing a child in the Calderdale area between 2006 and 2009. One defendant from Halifax faces a retrial in 2027 after a hung jury, while another was acquitted. The case involved a lengthy investigation and six-week trial.
A family-run restaurant in Halifax town centre has suffered significant financial losses (around £60,000) due to ongoing major roadworks on the A629 phase 2 project, including flooding from poor workmanship, disabled access blockages, and business rates nearly doubling. The owners have publicly criticised Calderdale Council and contractor Galliford Try for lack of communication and support, though council officials have acknowledged the disruption and offered to continue discussions.
Dean Clough, Halifax's major 22-acre business and leisure hub, has reported strong occupancy growth approaching 70% with plans to reach 80% within 12 months. The converted mill complex has secured significant new tenants including NHS Community Services and various retail and leisure providers, employing over 3,500 people across 150+ companies.
From April 1, 260,000 workers in Yorkshire and the Humber will receive increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, with the NLW rising to £12.71 per hour. Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden, the MP for Halifax, highlighted the government's commitment to supporting working people through this wage increase and broader employment rights reforms.
The UK government, led by Minister for Consumer Protection Kate Dearden MP, has announced major reforms to product safety laws to address gaps in consumer protections, particularly for online sales and dangerous products like lithium-ion batteries. The reforms aim to modernize regulatory frameworks and clarify business responsibilities across supply chains.
Rising singer-songwriter JERUB will support James Arthur at The Piece Hall in Halifax on July 4 as part of the TK Maxx Live At The Piece Hall summer series. The event is part of a record summer line-up at the venue featuring major artists.
Calderdale experienced 4,280 shoplifting incidents over three years (averaging four per day), with police unable to identify suspects in over half the cases. Halifax MP Kate Dearden has responded by highlighting her efforts to tackle the issue through business engagement and police coordination, citing recent reductions in shop thefts.
A burst water main on Sowerby Street in Sowerby Bridge has left Calderdale residents without water or experiencing low pressure while Yorkshire Water conducts emergency repairs. The incident has also caused bus service diversions in the area.
The Government, with Kate Dearden MP as Minister for Consumer Protection, has announced major new measures to protect consumers from unsafe products sold online, including consultations on strengthening product safety rules for online marketplaces. The reforms aim to level the playing field between online and physical retailers and address risks from dangerous products like faulty e-bikes.
The government is launching major consultations to reform UK product safety laws, modernizing protections for consumers buying products online and in stores. Kate Dearden MP, the Minister for Consumer Protection, is leading these reforms to close regulatory loopholes and ensure online marketplaces meet the same safety standards as physical retailers.
Three men from Halifax and the surrounding area were jailed for their roles in a drug trafficking and money laundering operation that moved over £1 million in cash during early 2020. The operation was uncovered through the NCA's infiltration of the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform, with the men operating under the direction of someone based in Spain.
A Grade II* listed 17th Century gate at Holy Trinity Church in York, where Halifax diarist Anne Lister 'married' Ann Walker in 1834, is crumbling and needs £30,000 for restoration. The church has launched an appeal to save the gate, which is significant to Halifax's cultural heritage as Lister lived at Shibden Hall in Halifax and her diaries are recognised as a pivotal document in British history.
Halifax Piece Hall has announced Bimini as a special guest for its summer 2026 concert series alongside Scissor Sisters, as part of the TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall festival on August 9. The venue continues to attract major musical acts and associated charitable partnerships.
Drag performer and musician Bimini will join Scissor Sisters as a special guest at Halifax's Piece Hall on August 9, as part of a record summer concert lineup. The show will support trans+ charity Not A Phase through ticket sales.
Halifax's Victoria Theatre has announced six new shows for its upcoming season, ranging from contemporary musicals and tribute concerts to stand-up comedy and sporting legends appearances. The announcements celebrate the theatre's 125-year history as a key cultural venue in West Yorkshire.
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